Changes of serum 7S fragment of type IV collagen and N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen after transcatheter arterial embolization as a model of acute liver injury.

To evaluate the mechanism of increased serum concentrations of the N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen and the 7S fragment of type IV collagen in acute liver injury, we serially measured serum levels of these substances after transcatheter arterial embolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. The results demonstrated marked increases in serum levels of the 7S fragment of type IV collagen in accordance with increased serum levels of transaminase after transcatheter arterial embolization. In contrast, a transient decrease in serum levels of the N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen was found after transcatheter arterial embolization and transcatheter arterial infusion, although no significant changes in serum levels of the N-terminal propeptide and 7S fragment were seen after hepatic arteriography alone. The absolute change in serum levels of the 7S fragment after treatment showed positive correlation with serum transaminase levels and negative correlation with the decrease in serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, although serum levels of N-terminal peptide did not demonstrate such a correlation. The results suggest that in acute liver injury induced by transcatheter arterial embolization, at least in part, increased in serum levels of the 7S fragment of type IV collagen reflect accelerated liberation of type IV collagen from the destroyed surrounding nontumorous tissues and that decreased serum N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen reflects diminished synthesis of type III collagen caused by anticancer drugs.